Crooked Fingers - New Record, Fall Tour

It's been three years since Crooked Fingers last delivered a record to the world, so we were delighted when we got the news that a new one was on the way.  Breaks In The Armor marks Eric Bachmann's first post-Archers-reunion output, as well as his return to Merge Records, and we have to say:  the time away certainly hasn't done his songwriting any harm.

From the first notes of "Typoon", it is clear that with this latest record, Bachmann is at the top of his game.  The starkness and folky vibe that has defined Crooked Fingers from the get-go is still firmly in tact, but with a renewed edge and vigor.  More importantly, the beat-centric arrangments that have always been a Bachmann hallmark are all over the record:  songs are defined by their percussives as much as they are by their melody.

And then there's the melody:  this is where it gets really good.  We don't know if it's a result of the Archers' reunion, or simply the result of time away from music, but the result is palatably different from the last few Crooked Fingers discs.  The experimental Eric Bachmann has reemerged, and there is a fierce variation of vocal and guitar styles all over the record.  Which isn't to say there isn't a "classic" Crooked Fingers vibe as well: "The Counterfeiter" throws back to the band's more familiar material.  And yet, the combination of all of these parts serve to underscore the urgency and immediacy of these new recordings.

A good studio record is all well and good, but what really makes it really great is a solid live show; at least that's the way we roll around here.  That's why we were so excited to learn that Crooked Fingers is on tour this fall, and will hit just about every part of the country you can imagine.  From past experience, we can already tell you their live show is killer, and with this new material, well, we're very excited.

Crooked Fingers plays Maxwell's tonight, and Mercury Lounge tomorrow.


mp3: Crooked Fingers - Bad Blood


Crooked Fingers Tour, Fall 2010
Thurs, Nov 3--Hoboken, NJ--Maxwell's
Fri, Nov 4--New York, NY--Mercury Lounge
Sat, Nov 5--Brooklyn, NY--Cameo Gallery
Sun, Nov 6--Cambridge, MA--TT the Bear's
Mon, Nov 7--Montreal, QC--Casa Del Popolo
Tues, Nov 8--Toronto, ON--The Drake Hotel
Wed, Nov 9--Detroit, MI--Magic Stick
Thurs, Nov 10--Cincinnati, OH--MOTR Pub
Fri, Nov 11--Chicago, IL--Schuba's
Sat, Nov 12--Milwaukee, WI--Cactus Club
Sun, Nov 13--Minneapolis, MN--Triple Rock Social Club
Mon, Nov 14--Omaha, NE--Waiting Room
Tues, Nov 15--Denver, CO--Larimer Lounge
Sat, Nov 19--Portland, OR--Mississippi Studios
Sun, Nov 20--Seattle, WA--The Crocodile
Tues, Nov 22--Santa Cruz, CA--The Crepe Place
Wed, Nov 23--San Francisco, CA--Bottom of the Hill
Fri, Nov 25--Los Angeles, CA--The Echo
Sat, Nov 26--San Diego, CA--Casbah
Mon, Nov 28--Tempe, AZ--Club Red
Thurs, Dec 1--Austin, TX--Mohawk
Fri, Dec 2--Houston, TX--Fitzgerald's
Sat, Dec 3--New Orleans, LA--One Eyed Jacks
Sun, Dec 4--Atlanta, GA--The Earl